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To build on its existing bullying prevention plan, Westmont Hilltop elementary and middle schools have been selected by Pittsburgh-based Heartwood Institute to be a part of a pilot program that strives to eradicate bullying in schools.
A Highmark Healthy High 5 grant totaling $207,505 was presented to the institute, which then in turn selected seven western Pennsylvania schools for the bullying initiative. Grant dollars were used to provide schools with the Teaching Resources for Understanding Ethics Respect Bullying Prevention Kits.
“The schools we selected are a part of the larger Olweus Bullying Prevention Program and they had to meet certain guidelines such as using Olweus for two or three years,” said Rebecca Gamble, co-director of the Heartwood Institute. “The grant covers the 2010-2011 school year and materials were distributed to fourth and fifth grades.”
Kits include books, illustrated activity cards and posters that cover different types of bullying and how to properly handle situations. There are discussion questions as well as take-home activities that engage the whole family.
“It really is a complete program that teachers can run with,” Gamble said. “The goal is to support and enhance anti-bullying programs, policies and procedures already in place in schools.”
Westmont began the TRUE program in October and recently underwent its first evaluation and is seeing positive results.
“The administration and students seem happy with the materials and understand how it fits into the larger program,” Gamble said.
Westmont Hilltop Middle School Assistant Principal Ted Benning said the introduction of the program has been a welcome addition.
“It is our goal to have a bully-free and positive school environment and keep communication open with everyone because it’s truly a team effort,” he said. “We believe we will see the benefits of this for years to come and see it expand because the kids are excited about it.”
Gamble added that although the program is only funded through the current school year, the institute is hoping to receive more money to keep it going and even tweak it to individual school’s requests.
“The materials help initiate the continued discussion about bullying, and that is essential,” she said.
Local News
Program targets bullying
Westmont schools participating in plan
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